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NMAT by GMAC is a computer-based MBA entrance exam that tests candidates across Language Skills, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Skills. Solving NMAT previous year question papers can help candidates understand the question types, identify important topics and improve speed and accuracy. For NMAT 2026, the exam will be conducted from November 2 to December 20, 2026, with candidates choosing their exam date and slot during scheduling.
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This article provides NMAT previous year question papers, sample papers, solutions, topic-wise trends and preparation tips to help candidates practise effectively.
Take a look at the NMAT exam paper pattern based on the previous year’s NMAT question papers. By going through last year’s NMAT question papers with solutions, candidates can get a pretty clear idea of the actual exam format and how it plays out in real time.
Have a look at the key highlights of the NMAT exam paper below, with the overall structure, types of questions, and a few other important points that matter.
NMAT 2026 will have 108 questions total, and these are split into three sections
Language Skills- In this part, there will be 36 questions, covering major areas like Reading Comprehension, sentence completion, etc.
Logical Reasoning- This section will also include 36 questions, and typically the questions come from puzzles, critical thinking, and arrangement questions.
Quantitative Aptitude- This section has 36 questions, and it is meant to test the candidate’s analytical ability. Most questions here are from puzzle logic, critical thinking, and arrangement too, so it’s all connected.
Read more: Best Books for NMAT Preparation
The NMAT exam is unlike any other MBA entrance test in terms of the marking scheme and other features. Usually, the NMAT entrance test is moderately difficult and considered easier in comparison with other national-level MBA entrance exams like CAT, XAT, etc. However, the sections are similar to other MBA entrance exams. The areas tested in the NMAT PYQ were Quantitative Skills, Language Skills, and Logical Reasoning.
Practicing these real exam-style questions will help you understand the NMAT 2026 exam pattern, improve accuracy, and build exam-day confidence.
There are many benefits of solving the NMAT mock tests or previous year NMAT exam papers. Check out the main advantages of solving the NMAT sample questions.
By solving the NMAT previous year papers, candidates will get to know the paper pattern and section-wise difficulty level of the NMAT exam.
By preparing with the NMAT sample paper or the previous year's NMAT question paper, candidates can analyse their strengths and weaknesses at the time of NMAT 2026 preparation.
Apart from that, candidates can choose the order of sections from which to start.
Candidates can understand the scoring pattern of NMAT so that they can prepare their timetable and strategy.
Practising the NMAT previous year question papers will make candidates more familiar with the division of marks and the type of questions. Candidates will get to know about the type of questions, whether they are time-consuming or not.
With the help of NMAT practice papers, candidates will get to know the questions asked.
When you click on the previous year/sample papers links, you will be directed to a user destination page. Below are the next steps:
Visit the official website of Careers360 or “Click here”
If not registered, then you have to register yourself by clicking on the “Register” tab.
After successful registration, you can log in by using the User ID and Password (credentials provided by Careers360)
Or candidates can log in through Facebook or Google accounts as well.
Now visit the sample paper store
Click on the NMAT Question Paper and download it
Understanding topic-wise weightage from NMAT previous year question papers helps candidates identify high-scoring areas and allocate preparation time effectively. While the exact distribution varies every year, certain topics consistently contribute a significant share of questions across all three sections.
Topic | Approx. Weightage | Difficulty |
Reading Comprehension | High | Moderate |
Vocabulary | High | Easy–Moderate |
Grammar & Sentence Correction | Medium | Easy |
Para Jumbles | Medium | Moderate |
Para Completion | Medium | Moderate |
Fill in the Blanks | Medium | Easy |
Critical Reasoning | Medium | Moderate |
Topic | Approx. Weightage | Difficulty |
Arithmetic | Very High | Easy–Moderate |
Algebra | High | Moderate |
Data Interpretation | High | Moderate |
Data Sufficiency | Medium | Moderate |
Modern Mathematics | Medium | Moderate |
Number System | Medium | Moderate |
Geometry & Mensuration | Medium | Moderate |
Topic | Approx. Weightage | Difficulty |
Analytical Reasoning | Very High | Moderate |
Arrangements & Puzzles | High | Moderate |
Critical Reasoning | High | Moderate |
Coding-Decoding | Medium | Easy |
Blood Relations | Medium | Easy |
Syllogisms | Medium | Easy |
Statement-Based Questions | Medium | Moderate |
Input-Output | Low–Medium | Moderate |
Analysing NMAT previous year question papers helps candidates understand which topics appear regularly and how the three sections are structured. Since NMAT is an adaptive exam and questions are selected from a question pool, the exact topic-wise distribution can vary across attempts. However, previous NMAT question papers and exam analyses show some clear trends in Language Skills, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Skills.
NMAT Section | Important Topics Seen in Previous Papers | Question Trend | What Candidates Should Focus On |
Language Skills | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Error Identification, Prepositions, Sentence Completion, Analogies, Vocabulary | RC and vocabulary-based questions remain important. Recent analyses have also reported grammar and sentence arrangement questions. | Practise NMAT RC questions, vocabulary in context, grammar rules, para jumbles and sentence completion. |
Logical Reasoning | Critical Reasoning, Deductions, Analytical Puzzles, Input-Output, Syllogisms, Coding-Decoding, Arrangements | Critical Reasoning and analytical reasoning form a significant part of the section. Puzzles and deduction-based questions also appear regularly. | Practise NMAT Logical Reasoning questions involving assumptions, conclusions, arguments, puzzles, arrangements and deductions. |
Quantitative Skills | Arithmetic, Algebra, Number System, Probability, P&C, Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, AP-GP, Logarithms | Arithmetic and DI remain important, while questions from algebra, probability and number systems can also contribute substantially. Recent analyses reported calculation-heavy DI and Quant questions. | Strengthen NMAT Quantitative Skills, especially arithmetic, DI, algebra, number system, probability and data sufficiency. |
Not every topic needs the same amount of practice when you start solving NMAT question papers. Begin with topics that are commonly tested and can be improved through regular practice. Once these areas become comfortable, move to less frequent topics and use NMAT previous year papers to check your speed and accuracy.
Start with Reading Comprehension, vocabulary and grammar. Practise identifying the main idea, author's tone, inference and details in RC passages. For verbal ability, focus on para jumbles, sentence completion, error identification, analogies, synonyms and antonyms. Regular reading can also help improve vocabulary and comprehension speed.
Give early attention to Critical Reasoning, deductions, analytical reasoning and arrangements. Practise questions based on assumptions, conclusions, arguments and statements. You should also work on syllogisms, coding-decoding, input-output, puzzles and decision-making questions to improve your ability to process information quickly.
Begin with Arithmetic and Data Interpretation, as these topics require both conceptual clarity and calculation speed. Cover percentages, profit and loss, averages, ratios, time and work, time-speed-distance and simple and compound interest. Then move to algebra, number system, probability, permutations and combinations, AP-GP and logarithms.
Practise tables, charts, graphs and caselet-based DI sets along with data sufficiency questions. Focus on selecting the information required to answer a question rather than performing unnecessary calculations. Timed practice is particularly useful here because lengthy calculations can affect your overall NMAT time management.
Keep a separate practice routine for vocabulary and grammar-based NMAT questions. Work on commonly tested words, contextual vocabulary, sentence correction, prepositions and basic grammar rules. Instead of memorising long word lists without context, read editorials and quality articles and note unfamiliar words along with their meanings and usage.
Here is the list of important NMAT ebooks you should refer to ace your exam with high marks.
NMAT 2026 Preparation Tips | |
NMAT 2026 Sample Paper and Mock Test | |
NMAT 2025 Question Paper and Exam Analysis | |
NMAT 2026 Quant Formula PDF: Every Formula Asked Since 2016- Shortcuts & Tricks | |
NMAT 2026: Complete Revision Kit | |
NMAT 2026 Logical Reasoning PDF: Concept, Tricks and Practice Questions |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Solving NMAT previous year papers helps you understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level. It also improves your speed and accuracy.
Yes, NMAT is generally considered easier than CAT or XAT, though it still requires regular practice and strategy.
Yes, NMAT allows candidates to choose the order in which they attempt the sections during the test.
There are three sections: Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills — each with 36 questions.
Yes, sometimes questions get repeated in NMAT exam. So, candidates are advised to solve previous year NMAT question paper during preparation.
On Question asked by student community
With an NMAT score of 194, you are in a good position to secure admission to several decent management schools (around the 30-41 percentile range). Top choices for this score include various campuses of Amity University, ITM Business School, ISBR Business School, and SRM University.
Attaining an NMAT score of 225 marks with sectional marks for VARC and QA around 73 marks, and LR at 79 marks, places you in a strong position for colleges like NMIMS Bengaluru, NMIMS Navi Mumbai, NMIMS Hyderabad, NMIMS Indore, KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, and more.
Hi there,
With an NMAT score of 216 (LR 76, VA 74, QA 66), you have a wide range of good options for admission. You can consider schools where your score is at par with the scores of admitted students, such as NMIMS campuses in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, Xavier
HELLO,
Here are some good MBA Colleges that you can target with an NMAT score around 204:-
1.SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Hyderabad and Navi Mumbai
2.SDA Bocconi Asia Center, Mumbai
3.ICFAI Business School (IBS), Hyderabad
4.SOIL Institute of Management, Gurgaon
5.Great Lakes Institute of Management
6.Alliance
Hello
Your NMAT score of 189 is decent, but it is usually around a 40–45 percentile range, not among the very high percentiles.
With this score, top colleges like NMIMS' main campuses may be difficult, but you still have good options in private universities.
You can realistically target colleges like
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